Loyalist Trails UELAC Newsletter, 2009 Archive

In this issue:
- London's Forgotten Loyalist: Part III - La Grange's Slave -- © Stephen Davidson
- "And your Petitioner shall ever Pray."
- Loyalist Women: The Trek of 5 Women and 31 Children
- Grand River Br. UELAC to Celebrate 35th Anniversary
- Bus Trip - Mohawk 2010
- Loyalist Quarterly, July Issue New Available
- Last Post: Elizabeth Frances (Bissell) Moore, UE
- Queries
      + Which Rev. Ryerson?
      + Family of Sgt. Timothy Pringle (Prindle) UE and son Timothy Jr.
      + Alexander Chisholm
      + Connections in Bermuda
      + How many Loyalists Were There?

London's Forgotten Loyalist: Part III - La Grange's Slave -- © Stephen Davidson

Barnardus La Grange is the only loyalist to be memorialized within the walls of St. Margaret's. This church is situated between the British House of Parliament and Westminster Abbey. A lawyer from New Brunswick, New Jersey, La Grange suffered persecution, the loss of family members, and the confiscation of his property. Included among La Grange's possessions were African slaves.

American colonists of the 18th century thought nothing of treating fellow human beings as chattel. It is one of the sad ironies of history that as American patriots demanded liberty from the oppression of the British crown, they blithely ignored the unjust enslavement of 500,000 blacks within the Thirteen Colonies. While both loyal and rebel forces turned a blind eye to the inhumanity of slavery, neither side had any qualms in using Africans as pawns to further their military objectives.

In 1775, the British government realized that it needed more manpower to support the thousands of troops it had sent to the Thirteen Colonies. Although there were loyalist regiments, the crown needed more soldiers. In November, it declared that the slaves of any rebels who joined its side would be granted freedom at the end of the war. This promise was not made to the slaves of loyalists such as Barnardus La Grange.

An estimated 10,000 Africans took the crown at its word. The blacks who survived the revolution were declared free men and women in 1783 and were given transportation to England, Nova Scotia, and the Caribbean. History would come to call them the Black Loyalists.

While some African slaves fought for their freedom during the war, others fought for the patriot side with absolutely no change in their legal status. About one sixth of the total rebel army was comprised of soldiers who were considered the property of white colonists. It became an accepted practice for white rebels to have their slaves take up arms in their place. Thus an estimated 5,000 blacks fought for the very patriots who enslaved them.

This often forgotten chapter of the American Revolution is part of the larger story of Barnardus La Grange, the only loyalist to be buried at Westminster Abbey. When La Grange's loyalty compelled him to flee for the safety of New York City, the patriots of New Jersey seized his land and sold off his African slaves. What marked the end of La Grange's days as a prosperous landowner was just the beginning of the long road to freedom for Samuel, his African slave.

In addition to maintaining a successful law practice based in the city of New Brunswick, Barnardus La Grange operated a farm along New Jersey's Raritan River. His principal African farmhand was a man simply known as Samuel. Born into slavery in 1747, Samuel was 29 years old when rebels seized his master's property and sold off his fellow Africans. After giving service to two different patriot owners, Samuel was purchased by Casper Berger, a tavern owner in Readington, New Jersey.

Berger was a member of the New Jersey militia, but he was not anxious to go into battle. He made an agreement with Samuel that if he would fight in his place, he would grant the African his freedom at the end of the revolution. Although it meant risking his life, Samuel seized the opportunity to gain his freedom.

It was easy to see why his master was more than ready to let Samuel take his place. In 1776, the African soldier fought in the Battle of Long Island. In the Battle of Princeton, he carried one of his officers to safety. At the Battle of Millstone, it was Samuel who led his fellow militiamen through freezing waist-deep waters to defeat the enemy. When 800 loyalists ambushed his regiment near Elmira, New York, Samuel was numbered among its survivors. While he might have heard of a rebel attack against a loyalist regiment on Staten Island in August of that year, Samuel would have no way of knowing that the son-in-law of his former master, had died of rebel gunshot wounds.

On October 6, 1777, Samuel was one of the patriot soldiers who defended Fort Montgomery located on the Hudson River near West Point. Attacking at night, the British force of 2,100 German, loyalist, and English soldiers overwhelmed the patriots. Samuel fought in hand- to- hand combat until he was shot twice just above his right ankle. He survived, but it was almost three weeks before he was able to walk again. It was his last battle; Samuel returned to Readington, New Jersey and worked at his master's tavern for the remainder of the war. He walked with a limp for the rest of his life.

In 1783, Samuel's former master, Barnardus La Grange, sailed for England, one of the 100,000 loyalists who became refugees at the end of the revolution. It should have been the year the African was granted his freedom, but his master reneged on his promise. By 1786, he was the property of Peter Sutphen. Following her husband's death, Mrs. Sutphen allowed Samuel to earn his own income by selling furs. In 1805, Samuel bought his freedom and adopted his last master's surname. The liberty he had been promised for wartime service in 1776 had finally been earned by the sweat of his brow 29 years later.

Now in his late 50s, Samuel Sutphen bought himself a seven-acre farm and married a woman named Catherine. His determination to seek justice did not diminish. In 1833, at the age of 87, Sutphen made the first of five appeals to the United States government for a war veteran's pension. When these were refused, the New Jersey legislature sided with him, passing an act "For the Relief of Samuel Sutphen of Somerset." At long last, Sutphen received a pension for his wartime services. In 1841, this most remarkable African-American died at the age of 95.

Forty-four years earlier, Sutphen's master, Barnardus La Grange, had been buried in a church in London, England. The conclusion of this loyalist's story will be featured in next week's Loyalist Trails.

To secure permission to reprint this article, contact the author at {stephendavids AT gmail DOT com} how do I email him?

"And your Petitioner shall ever Pray."

Shall ever pray --for what? This phrase, a standard convention, was a courtesy that appeared on hundreds of legal documents addressed to the monarch, government, or parliament. It is especially common on petitions from Loyalists to Land Boards, etc. It is actually an unfinished phrase, the conclusion of which was, "for your Majesty's most prosperous reign." In England, the shortened phrase also appears on countless petitions to the House of Commons, occasionally completed with, "the prosperous success of this high and honourable Court of Parliament." Or did they think it was a prayer for the success of their petition?!

...Bill Lamb {william DOT lamb AT rogers DOT com} how do I email him?

Loyalist Women: The Trek of 5 Women and 31 Children

Mr. Oscar Harvey tells of an horrific story about Benjamin Harvey and others being captured in Wyoming Valley, PA in 1781 by the British Forces and a band of Indians (page 647), put on forced marches in the snow in the dead of winter, and finally his release in Niagara because his age of 59 would not be helpful to the working prisoners in settling a new area across from Fort Niagara. He was released to return home with only the clothes on his back, a hunting knife, and a small piece of Flint. No food or money to help on his trek home. Benjamin Harvey trudged through the wildness until he found himself on the road to Plymouth, arriving there 4 July 1781. (Page 650) Plymouth being a settlement near Wilkes-Barre, PA. Source: The Harvey Book by Oscar Jewell Harvey, A. M. published Wilkesbarre, PA 1899.

This man, Benjamin Harvey, a healthy able man although his age was 59, took over 5 weeks to walk from Fort Niagara to Wyoming Valley where Philip Buck had settled with his family in 1773. Philip was taken from his home on 3 Jan 1778 and was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for a time, then sent to New York to be put on trial. The wives and children of several imprisoned men were being threatened and very poorly treated. Deciding they could no longer take the chance of staying in their homes in the area of Forty Fort in the Wyoming Valley, the five women took the chance that walking to Fort Niagara, Ontario would be safer than staying were they were. In the fall, the 5 women and 32 children (Source: from Halton Region Museum in the "Buck papers".) walked to Fort Niagara in the cold October and arriving at Fort Niagara on the 3rd of Nov. (Mrs. Elizabeth Spohn's letter) No timeline has been offered to the length, but the tired, hunger, and scared party of women and children did make their Trek. If Benjamin Harvey, took over 5 weeks, I would assume the children would have took at least as long.

Leaving everything they owned behind was a difficult task but it had to be done. In Philip Buck's claim for losses in 1783 states that all his land, household, utilities, animals etc were confiscated by the Rebel's or the Indians. He and his family were left with nothing, as well as all the families that walked to Canada.

When Philip Buck, along with Jacob Bowman and Adam Bowman were released from prison in New York, they headed back to the Forty Fort in the Wyoming Valley to find their families. On the way, Jacob and Adam Bowman were captured again, which left Philip on his own in a raw wildness that he did not know. (Read Mrs. Spohn's letter, link on front page. She tells the story of her grandfather, Jacob Bowman, and how they were captured.) Discovering that the women and children had left, heading for Canada, Philip did the same. But again with no provisions for the arduous trip to Fort Niagara.

In all the recordings of these women and children, none of the women or children's given names have been mentioned. I have taken a daring step here and will offer my suspicions of these hardy and daring families.

As in all 'family lore' events change a little in each family mentioned. I have not done personal research on these families as a whole, but have tried to find the women, the children's names, and their ages, that would have been on such a trek as the lore has told us in every one of these families.

Another question is the date of the Trek . . . Most of the records or documents that I have seen states the date of 1776. Even Mrs. Spohn stated in her letter "Nov. 3rd 1776." By checking the children's birth dates, place of birth and their ages in each family, I do not see how it could have been 1776. A statement in the Harvey Book cites the capture of Philip Buck as Jan 3, 1778 at his home in Wyoming Co., PA. He was held for 18 months along with other Loyalists and released after 18 months, which would be about June 1779 as their release date. If these dates are correct, the walk to Canada had to be Sep into Nov of 1778.

Somewhere along the trip the Commander of the British forces in Niagara heard of the plight that these women and children were in while walking to Canada. Nothing has been recorded, that I can find, that will tell us just where the Scouts and Indians meet up with them on the trail. The Commander had given orders to "bring them in," and that is just what they did. It may have been Nov. 3rd and more likely in 1778.

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The 5 women were as follows:

Mrs. Buck, Mrs. Secord, Mrs. Nelles, Mrs. Bowman, and Mrs. Young.

1. Mrs. Anna Marguerite (Margaret) Saultman wf/o Philip Buck

1-1. Mary b. 1768 -age 10 years old.
2-2. Rosannah b. 1770 -age 8 years old.
3-3.Frederick b. 1772 -age 6 years old.
4-4. Michel b. 1774, -age 4 years old.
5-5. William b. 1776 -age 3 years old.
6-6. Elisabeth b. 1777 -age 1 year 7 months old.

On the trek to Canada, it has been stated that one child had died while on that trail of suffering. I believe the first William, born 1776 to Philip and Margaret Buck, to be that child. William #1 does not show in later records of Ontario. Most believe that there was only one William. The first William was baptized in Christ Church at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and the second William was born 1787 at Bertie, Niagara. This latter William does show in records in Ontario.

I have also seen it stated "None had children as young as Mrs. Buck."

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2. Mrs. Magdalen (James) Secord

1. Simond. 1777
2. Solomon Edwin b. 1755 had joined the British forces.
3. Stephen b. 1757 had joined the British forces.
4. Davidb. 1759 had joined the British forces.
7-5. John b. 1762 -age 15
8-6. Magdelaine b. 1764 -age 12
9-7. Ester b. 1766 -age 10
10-8. Mary A. b. 1770 -age 8
11-9. James b. 1773 -age 5

BIOGRAPHY: UEL - Lt in Butler's Rangers during Rev War. Settled in Canada. 12/1/1783 listed James & family less Solomon, Stephen, John in Niagara in 1790. All the children were born in New Rochelle before family left for Canada via the Susquehanna Valley, Pennsylvania.

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3. Mrs. Pricilla (Henry) Nelles

There is some question as to which Mrs. Nelles walked to Canada. The first Mrs. Nelles died in PA before the time of the trek and Henry's 2nd wife was:

" MRS. PRICILLA NELLES, (second wife) widow of the late Major H. Wm. Nelles, U. E., came into this country during the American War, by John Warren, J. P. and Sam'l Street, J. P., Newark, 13 Oct. 1796."

Source: The Ontario Register page 6 Return of persons under the description of Loyalists in the Indian Department, Niagara, December 1, 1783

1. Robert was already in Ontario.
12-2. Peter b. 1763 -age 15 at time of Trek
13-3. John b. 1765 -age 13 at time of Trek
14-4. Mary b. 1763 -age 15 at time of Trek
15-5. Henry b. 1767 -age 11 at time of Trek
16-6. Johann William b. 1769 -age 9 at time of Trek
17-7. Johann Warner b. 1771 -age 7 at time of Trek
18-8. Ann b. 1774 -age 4 at time of Trek
19-9. Abraham b. 1775 -age 3 at time of Trek
10. John b. 1782 Born in Ontario
1783 Source: The Ontario Register, Niagara Return

Elizabeth "an orphan child, that is in my house" states Henry Nelles in his will. Was she on the trek also?

Henry Nelles first wife, Catharine, died 28 Jul 1778. Lutheran Church At The River Death Register. Old Palatine Church Records, Montgomery Co., NY. Located just off of Route 5. Also known as the Evangelical Lutheran

Thanks to the Nelles Family Association for their help. Kathleen McLaughlin and Mary Victoria McClung NELLES

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4. Mrs. Elizabeth (Jacob) Bowman

1. Adam b. 1758 -age 20 Would Adam have walked?
20-2. Peter b. 1762 -age 16
21-3. Margaret b. 1763 -age 15
22-4. Anna b. 1765 -age 13
23-5. Abraham b. 1768 -age 10
24-6. Elizabeth (Petty) b, 1770 -age 8
25-7. Mary b. 1772 -age 6
26-8. Cristina b. 1775 -age 3
27-9. Eve b. 1777 -age 1

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5. Mrs. (Johan Adam) Young

"ADAM YOUNG, late of New York:

He was confined in different gaols (jail's)- at last sent to Norwich gaol in Connecticut. When the Rebellion broke out joined Col. Butler at Oswego in 1778-he had been imprisoned for 11 months for refusing to take an oath to the States."

"Soon after he (Adam Young) returned home from 11 months imprisonment, his buildings were burned and effects taken by the Patriot supporters."

"Adam's buildings were destroyed on the order of Rev. Daniel Gros (Bellinger,Mohawk Valley Bellingers, p. 24) 18 July 1778, in retaliation for the burning of Andrustown by Capt. Joseph Brant (CAY; Testimony of a participant, John Frank, in William L. Stone, Life of Joseph Brant, Vol. 1, Albany N.Y.: Munsell, 1865, pp. 362-363)."

Adam "Young was enrolled in the 6th Company of this unit, (Butler's Rangers), as of 1 Aug. 1778. Adam returned to avenge of his burned property 17 September 1778, at 6 o'clock in the morning, Captains Joseph Brant and Gilbert Tice, and William Caldwell, with 300 Rangers and 152 Indians swooped down on the German Flatts settlement."

"After her house was burned, (18 July 1778) and her husband Adam and sons David and Henry escaped to join the Loyalist forces at Oswego, Catharine Elizabeth (Schremling) Young was captured by the Rebels and confined to Tice's Tavern in Johnstown, New York. She remained there with her daughter-in-law Catharine (son John's wife) and her grandchildren until they and others were involved in an exchange of prisoners sometime before 1780."

"Adam's widow Catharine Elizabeth "was supported by her son Daniel Young for a considerable time and until her death - that she was blind for some years before her death "Catharine Elizabeth died 1798"

Please visit David Faux.org for history of Adam Young and family. This site is interesting and very well sourced. Thanks David! Click here.

If Catharine was "detained" after 18 July 1778 and she was not released until "sometime before 1780," who walked with her Children and where was she staying until she returned from Johnstown, New York? Was she released in 1778 a few months after she was confined, when the exchange of pensioners started? Her children do not appear to be confined with her.

All 5 of these families were friends before the Revolutionary War and had intermarried while in Ontario, so it would not be a big stretch to say that the children were staying with 'relatives.' Would one of the friends or relatives be Mrs. Nelles? Their families did intermarry in Ontario but if so, who was the "Mrs. Young" that is referred to in all the tales of the Trek?

1. David
2. Frederick
3. John b. 1742
4. Elisabeth b. 1746
5. John b. 1747
6. Daniel b. 1749
7. Johan Nicolas b. 17 Jun 1750
28-8. Abraham b. 17 Aug 1762 -age 16
29-9. Hendrick b. 17 Aug 1762 -age 16
30-10. Mary b. 1763 -age 15

"Adam Young had an Indian or French mistress, Polly Crain (reported in YF, p. 125), by whom he had a son Jacob A. Young (b. 6 Apr. 1755), is not supported by documentary evidence." Jacob would have been too old to be considered a child.

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The total of children, so far, is 30. Considering that the older children would not have been on the trek, but did they......??? If one of the older children could have walked with them, there would be a count of 31, but I have no proof as to which, if any, could be included.

So if anyone can help me to find that one lost child, please email me.

After the women and children arrived at Niagara, they were taken by boat to Sorel, (near Montreal) and were protected there. In time their husbands arrived and were granted land by King George III, for their patriotism to the crown, and were given the designation as United Empire Loyalists.

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This information has been compiled by Beth. This story and much other information can be found at Beth's website. It is a project to try to figure out who was involved. I have not specifically asked the other families for assistance; I just wanted to see what I could do. I have no real sources, just census records, old records online, other records, etc. I would be glad to have some input into any of this project. The details presented are not all well-sourced and any additional - either supportive or contradictory - information would be appreciated in hopes that the details can be expanded and verified.

...Beth {GlassByBeth AT aol DOT com} (story originally submitted by Rod MacDonald)

Grand River Br. UELAC to Celebrate 35th Anniversary

The Grand River Branch charter was presented at a meeting in Brantford, Ontario chaired by then Dominion President, John E Chard, UE on 29 Sept 1974. Dr Vera Vanderlip, UE was the first branch president. The branch has enjoyed thirty-five years of meeting throughout a huge area extending from Tobermory to Lake Erie.

The 35th Anniversary will be celebrated on Sunday, September 20th 2009. The festivities will be held at the Oakland Community Centre, King Street in Oakland village just south of Brantford. A social time and refreshments will begin at 4:30 p.m. followed by a catered dinner at 5:00 p.m. The guest speaker will be Dominion President, Fred Hayward, UE. Tickets are $25.00 ea.- to order call 519-742-9659 or email {jtree7437 AT rogers DOT com}. how do I email them? Tickets must be requested by September 1st 2009. Everyone is welcome to attend.

...Bill Terry, UE

Bus Trip - Mohawk 2010

This trip, in Memory Of Doris Ferguson UE, will take place from Sept 26 to 29, 2010 under the leadership of Edward and Elizabeth Kipp and George and Janet Anderson. Proceeds from the trip will benefit the Manor House Committee of the Sir John Johnson National Historic Site of Williamstown, Ontario.

The tour will begin at the Manor House in Williamstown and travel east in Glengarry along 401 through Eastern Ontario. This area was originally part of Lunenburg or the Old Eastern District. The tour will cross to the St. Lawrence River South Shore near Montreal, Quebec to visit St. Stephen's Church, Chambly and the Sir John Johnson Vault on Mont-Saint Gregoire. St. Stephen's Church has the original bell which Sir John Johnson donated in 1822. The Sir John Johnson Branch UELAC is restoring the vault on Mont-Saint Gregoire where Sir Johnson and several family members are buried. The bus will then head south to visit fourteen historic sites in the Mohawk Valley. The return trip will be via Interstate Route 81, the Ivy Lea Bridge and Highway 401 to Williamstown.

Registrations with deposits are now being received. For more details about the trip, including registration and cost details, click here.

Loyalist Quarterly, July Issue New Available

The latest issue of the only U.S. Journal Devoted To Loyalist Studies contains among others, these topics:

- Service to Our Country - Okill Stuart UE,
- Awards,
- Black Loyalists Pit Houses,
- Actions During The War,
- Reading List on Loyalists,
- Following the Life of One Loyalist,
- Event Schedules,
- Canadian Heraldry,
- Archives Loyalist Holdings,
- Great Source for Cape Breton Loyalists,
- Loyalist Yonge Research

More information including subscription information at bunnellgenealogybooks.citymaker.com

......Editor, Paul J. Bunnell, UE, Author {bunnellloyalist AT aol DOT com} how do I email him?

Last Post: Elizabeth Frances (Bissell) Moore, UE

Peacefully in Niagara-on-the-Lake, on Thursday July 9th, 2009 in her 91st year. Predeceased by her husband Frank Moore (1999). Mother of Bruce and his wife Kristy of Niagara-on-the-Lake, and Alan and his wife Dale of Virgil. Grandma to many. Elizabeth was the 5th generation born in the town of Niagara, living her entire life in the family home. She was christened at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church Niagara-on-the-Lake were her ancestors were members of the founding congregation; was a life long member of the church, singing in the choir for over 50 years, a past member of the Ladies Auxiliary, Sunday School teacher, and volunteer at many church functions. She was always willing to assist in any way she could, and was the first to call on members who were unable to attend due to illness or inability to attend church. A funeral service will be held at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Niagara- on-the-Lake on Tuesday, July 14th. Interment in the church cemetery. Online guest register www.morganfuneral.com (Sudbury STar)

[submitted by Lynne Cook]

Which Rev. Ryerson?

In newspaper records, (Norfolk Reformer) (Abbreviated Abstracts), page 179: "Michael Moses m. Miss Hannah Elizabeth House, both Windham, on 23 (Feb ? - 'on the 23rd inst.', but in issue of 5 Mar) 1863, at the Exchange Hotel, Simcoe, by Rev. Dr. Ryerson." Michael (or Micael) Ainsley Almas owned the Windham Exchange Hotel in Atherton, a former hamlet south of Delhi in southwest Windham Township. Hannah Elizabeth (nee unknown) married three times, (1) David W. House, (2) Michael M. Moses, and (3) Theodore Sharp. Both (Loyalist George) HOUSE and (Patriot Anthony Antonius Scharfenstein) SHARP families seem to be families related to me.

In hopes of finding more details, can anyone identify which Reverend Dr. Ryerson would have performed the marriage; and does anyone know where his records are archived?

...Howard Ray Lawrence, UE {howardl AT inreach DOT com} how do I email him?

Family of Sgt. Timothy Pringle (Prindle) UE and son Timothy Jr.

The first of the Pringle family to come to America was William Pringle (alias Prindle) who was born on c July 31, 1628 in Stowe Midlothian, Scotland son of James Pringle(?) born c. 1602 in Stow, Midlothian, Scotland. There is no information about his mother.

William was between 18 - 25 years old when he emigrated possibly from Selkirkshire, Scotland with other Scottish Emigrants, the name of the ship is not known. He arrived in New Haven c. 1646. He is first recorded in New Haven as "the Scotsman which lives at Mr. Allerton's" in the Pringle Genealogy compiled by Franklin C. Pringle. William took an oath of allegiance on April 4, 1654 which is found in the "Records of the Colony and Plantation of New Haven from 1638 to 1649". During the years of 1653 - 1656, as recorded in "The New Haven Town Records", William was approached by the townsfolk of New Haven to sweep their chimneys. After some period of negotiations he agreed.

William married Mary Disburrow on Dec. 7, 1655 by Mr. Stephen Goodyear, magistrate, officiating, which is documented in the New Haven Vital Records. William and Mary had 11 children. In 1672, William Pingle bought 24 acres of land in what is now West Haven, known as "West Farms" ,and settled there. This land now lies between Main and Elm Streets and Second and Third Avenues. Some of this property was still in the possession of the Prindle family in 1906.

William died about 1700 in New Haven Connecticut and is buried in New Haven Green. His name was changed to Prindle in his last will and testament which was probated in New Haven CT. There doesn't seem to be an explanation of why he changed his name to Prindle. From then forward the Pringles were known as the " the Prindles of Connecticut".

William's first born son and 2nd child, Ebenezer inherited most of his father's estate upon the death of his mother who retained her husband's home and assets until after her own death. It was the custom of the time that the eldest son inherited the father's holdings. There was an inventory of the estate of William Prindle by John Clarke John Smith Appraisers. The contents of his home and holdings were very slight like many other early American colonists. Although he had a parcel of land, his worldly belongings were otherwise quite minimal.

William's 3rd son Joseph was the father of the first Joel, and Joel's son Joel Pringle Jr was the Loyalist that I have a little knowledge of but after him there is very little that I know.

Joel Jr. left Colonial Connecticut and went to New York where he met and married his wife Deborah Bigelow ( Brownson). In New York he and two of his son's were enlisted in the King's 84th Royal Regiment of New York, the Loyal Rangers (Major Jessup's corps), known as "Butler's Rangers". It is said that after they fled to Canada where they were welcomed as United Empire Loyalists, they resumed the Scots "g" in their name.

The Bureau of Archives NC., Timothy Pringle son attests his father is very old & infirm not able to attend. St.John's at 83, He left his parents at Keensbro and Kingsbury with a quantity of wood , 3 cows, 4 horses, hogs, furniture, utensils, clothes. It was impossible to move these things. They had 1 wagon, for 5 families.

In Canada Joel operated a ferry at Napanee and served as Justice of the Peace, so I was told.

Joel's 3rd son Sgt. Timothy Pringle Sr was a soldier of Rogers King's Rangers. He married a Huldah Weldon in abt. 1771 and fathered 9 children the 3d son a Timothy Pringle Jr was my 3xgreat-grandfather.

I need help in locating any documents proving his Loyalty to the crown. If anyone can help in furthering this trail of the 2 Timothy Pringles Sr & Jr, I would love to hear from you Loyalists Trails readers.

...Marlene Rodgers Kerr UE {marlene_rodgers AT hotmail DOT com} how do I email her?

[Editor's Note: I also try to manage the content in the Loyalist Directory and the information in the Prindle/Pringe family there is a bit of a mess. We potentially have a Joel Sr, Joel Jr. Timothy Sr and Timothy Jr. in the directory but it would be most unlikely that those are each father son through four generations and all UE Loyalists. If anyone can help sort out at least some of the relationships between the various Prindle/Pringe people listed in the directory, it would be most appreciated.]

Alexander Chisholm

Alexander of Montreal, PETITION:
22 Oct 1796, Montreal, petition of Alexander Chisholm, Montreal, Lieutenant in the Late Garrison Battalion Commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Robert Duncan. Petitioner resided in Lower Canada for the space of 10 years but has not yet attained ... any lands ... has a wife and six children ... prays for land entitled to in Upper Canada -- granted 2000 acres if he resides in Upper Canada. Letter from Peter Russell ordering he be granted lands.11 June 1797. [Source: Chisholm, Alexander, Montreal, 1797, UCLP, C2/122, C-1647]

This Alexander is quite important in Chisholm Clan Genealogy, closely related to the Chief. He seemed to disappear from Scotland after 1780, and then is captured by the Spanish in the Bahamas in 1782. He made his way to Canada in 1786 where Captain Alexander Chisholm settled in on a homestead which he called L'Achigan, which is known today as Saint Roche de Achigan, located in the Northern Crown of the Greater Montreal area. He did finally receive a decent grant, which appears to be about 70Km SW of where he was residing. ... His Majesty's Council were pleased to order to your Memorialist a Warrant for survey for 2000 acres for himself and 200 for Mrs Chisholm, located in the Western Division of the Township of Hawkesbury in the eastern District, viz Lots 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10. 12 & 13 in the 6th Concession and lot 13 in the 7th.

I an looking for any information about this Alexander Chisholm, with a special interest in who he was with in the Bahamas, and also what the Garrison Battalion was.

...Robert Chisholm, administrator of the Clan Chisholm DNA project {nikaudesign AT clear DOT net DOT nz} how do I email him?

Connections in Bermuda

I am interested in setting up a chapter in Bermuda of the Society of Colonial Wars (any male descendant of someone who participated in any colonial war in the 13 colonies prior to the American Revolution Rev).

I am specifically looking for folks in Bermuda who might have links to the 13 colonies, would be able to trace descent to a male ancestor who had some military or civil service from 1609 to 1775. I have heard that there are a number of folks in Bermuda presently who have developed an interest in genealogy and are attempting to show they had Pequoit ancestry and were brought to the island from Connecticut. Part of the interest ties to the lucrative casino there that will distribute payments to anyone who has even 1/64th proven Pequoit ancestry. With the Society of Colonial Wars, you would have to have the genealogical paperwork submitted but, the lineage is then documented paperwork that could be used for the casino connection.

However, my objective is to find 12 folks who live there to establish a society. My own connection to Bermuda was my ancestor Stephen Hopkins who was shipwrecked there is 1609 on his way to Jamestowne. He later went back to England and the came to Plymouth, MA on the Mayflower. Bermuda is the oldest British colony and I am hopping to tap into some folks who have interests in its historical background. Any connection to someone with that same interest could help.

...Grant Peterson {stgeorgethedragon AT gmail DOT com} how do I email him?

How many Loyalists Were There?

We have all seen various claims about the number of North American Loyalists during the American Revolution. We would like to develop a page on our web site which discusses that topic. Apparently this topic is receiving some scholarly attention - it was a topic at the Loyalist Conference this past June in Orono, Maine.

To start, please forward any published references you come across - include the paragraph within which any claim is made in order to provide context, and the source in detail. Thanks.

...editor Doug Grant {loyalist DOT trails AT uelac DOT org} how do I email him?